A SOCIAL club's plans for a skittle alley have been knocked on the head by planning officials on the grounds that it would be built on a flood plain.

But the manager of the Wharf Inn, at Holt Fleet, near Worcester, where the skittle alley would be located, is appealing against the decision, saying flooding is "one thing we've learned to live with".

Jim Parker, who manages the riverside pub next to the Holt Fleet bridge over the River Severn, wants to extend the clubroom by 10ft for a skittle alley for the 200-member Holt Fleet social club.

"Flooding's not a problem - we're used to it," said Mr Parker. "When the pub floods we don't open. It usually only lasts for a couple of days."

Mr Parker maintains that a fishing lake, built at the property last year, more than compensates for the area taken up by the skittle alley.

"Our argument is that last year we built a large fishing lake and a lot of soil was taken off the site," said Mr Parker.

"It's only a 10-foot extension on an existing facility. It won't make that much difference, and it's more than made up for by the soil that was taken away.''

He said the pub had a skittle alley "years ago" but it had been converted and was now part of the main bar.

The only objection to the application had come from the Environment Agency, which "will not allow any development in flood plains".

"We're really hoping that the inspectorate will approve it this time," said Mr parker.

He said flooding was "quite severe" last winter, with the pub under water twice in October and December, but the winter before there had been no floods.

"If we didn't have that social club here it wouldn't be the same pub," said Mr Parker.

A spokeswoman for Wychavon District Council said: "We are compiling our statement and that involves liaising with the Environment Agency because of the flooding issue, which is of paramount importance. It will then be up to the planning inspectorate to look at the council's statement and that of the appellant."